Beach weddings are one of the greatest ways to encapsulate the best of summer into your
big day. Once you have settled on a theme, your outfit, venue, and guest list will be sure to
follow.
However, one of the most standout memories of your wedding day will be the menu that you
ultimately decide on. Keeping in theme with the beach wedding, you can decide on having a
range of seafood options for your guests interspersed into your menu and snacks for the
guests during the reception.
Combining theme with your menu
Having a beach wedding means that you want to have something along the same lines with
your reception menu. When it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter if you are having the
wedding at the destination location, or if you’re bringing the beach to your local venue. You
can create an authentic experience by including some select seafood options. Consider if
you’re having a buffet or sit-down three-course dinner, and if you want to have some
seafood-related snacks throughout the reception and ceremony
Menu options and the wines that go with them
The options of seafood that you can include in your menu. There are summer seafood
salads or a shrimp cocktail for your starters. For the main course, you can serve sushi,
steamed lobster, seared fish, and seafood soup. These are all great options to add to your
dining experience. Fresh oysters are also an option, as well as seafood paella.
The wines that you choose can be of a personal preference, but if you want to consult a
sommelier for an option that will be better suited to each dish. Full-bodied white wines like
chardonnay will suit buttery seafood options, while something lighter like Sauvignon Blanc is
better for lighter seafood.
In addition to seafood options, you need to think about your wine selections for the toast-
sparkling wines, or during mingling. You can also decide to have an open or cash bar for
guests who would like something a little stronger. You also need to make provisions for
those who don’t have any liquor at all.
How to bring your venue to the menu
You need to check in with the venue before you fully commit to your menu. Check in with
them about their alcohol regulations, and if they will be able to cater to your culinary
decisions. If they aren’t able to, you can check in regarding their vendor policies and if you
can incorporate them into your plans.
Vendor and catering choices
If you’re having a destination wedding, you can see vendors that are available closer to
where you’re planning on having your wedding. Alternatively, you can have your vendor
come in to provide your meal options, but you need to consider the logistics of them coming
out to your vendor - especially if you’re having seafood in hot temperatures.
Chat with them at length about their rules and guidelines for preparing this type of meal, and
how many guests they are comfortable catering for, etc.
Bottom line
A beach-themed wedding is the best way to encapsulate a summer wedding. This can be
taken a step further by adding a bit of the beach theme to your menu. There are many
seafood options that you can include in your menu to achieve the height of your theme.
Photo Credit:
Arshad Pooloo/ Unsplash
Daniel Lee/ Unsplash